Scotland victorious against South Africa in Leopard Trophy

Scotland brought South Africa’s winning streak to a halt in the Leopard Trophy with a 14-10 victory in a thrilling encounter at the magnificent Leopard Creek on Wednesday.

The Scots took the lead early in the foursomes on day one, but the South Africans mounted a strong comeback to level the match at six all.

However, for a second successive day the Scots took control in the foursomes and handed the local heroes a 4-0 drubbing.

“We went into the singles 10-6 down, but the team were motivated to come back again and fought incredibly hard,” said SA national coach, Llewellyn van Leeuwen.

“We managed to win three games and halve two others, but in the end, we fell short of the target. Hats off to the Scots, though, because this was undoubtedly one of the strongest teams to ever come to South Africa and our players thoroughly enjoyed the challenge,” he said.

The Scottish team, comprised players from the Scottish Golf Union’s national men’s, transition’s and boys’ squads, also fielded six debutantes like South Africa. And, like the host nation, some of their new players also delivered some surprising blows.

Zander Lombard and Louis Taylor, the two stalwarts of the victorious SA side last year, were among the first to fall. Craigie Hill’s Daniel Young defeated Lombard of Gauteng North three and one, while Conner Syme of Dumfries & County dispatched central Gauteng’s Taylor 4-3.

Cawder’s Jamie Savage, out on his second trip to the country, picked up the team’s third point when he downed NJ Arnoldi of Ekurhuleni 2-1.

“The new caps all performed well and this bodes well for the future of Scottish golf. We are obviously delighted with the victory, but I don’t think one should lose sight of the experience that both teams gained here this week. For us, to come out to a magnificent course like this each year and to expose our players to this type of course, the grass and weather is invaluable.” said Scottish national coach, Ian Rae

He said, “But for the South Africans the chance to play against international competition is equally important. Irrespective of the result, and who lifted the magnificent Leopard Trophy, both squads are winners.”

The South African debutantes performed equally well. SA’s number one Christiaan Bezuidenhout went up against Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil in a tightly-fought contest.

The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player of Ekurhuleni got the better of the 2013 Scottish Boys u/18 champion to win one-up.

Reigning Sanlam SA Amateur champion Thriston Lawrence of Mpumalanga took Ewen Ferguson of Bearsden 2-1, while Gauteng North’s Werner van Niekerk secured South Africa’s third point when he downed Scott Gibson of Southerness 3-2.

Rookies Philip Kruse of Gauteng North and Matthew Spacey of Central Gauteng delivered the half points against Ben Kinsley of St Andrews and Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson respectively.

The Leopard Trophy forms part of their annual eight-week winter-training programme, which is supported by Leopard Creek proprietor Johann Rupert and Aberdeen Asset Management.

While Neil and Robertson will departing for Scotland early next week, the remainder of the side will travel to the Western Cape to chase a Scottish hat-trick at the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship at Hermanus Golf Club from February 25 to 28..

Results

Zander Lombard/Thriston Lawrence lost to Bradley Neil/Daniel Young 3-2

NJ Arnoldi/Christiaan Bezuidenhout lost to Conner Syme/Ben Kinsley one-down

Louis Taylor/Matthew Spacey lost to Ewen Ferguson/Jamie Savage 3-1

Philip Kruze/Werner van Niekerk lost to Graeme Robertson/Scott Gibson 2-1.

Singles draw

Christiaan Bezuidenhout beat Bradley Neil one-up

Zander Lombard lost to Daniel Young 3-2

Thriston Lawrence beat Ewen Ferguson 2-1

NJ Arnoldi lost to Jamie Savage 2-1

Louis Taylor lost to Connor Syme 4-3

Philip Kruse halved Ben Kingsley

Werner van Niekerk beat Scott Gibson 3-2

Matthew Spacey halved Graeme Robertson.